Mawi (Selong Belanak)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Mawi is an exposed reef break on south Lombok known for fairly consistent performance and high-quality hollow barrels. The wave splits into right and left peaks: the right is faster and more intense, while the left is the longer, hollow option and tends to dominate on bigger swells. It is described as a regional classic and swell magnet during the dry season. Wind is typically helped by the prevailing southeast/east trade pattern, which can be offshore and “groom” the wave face for cleaner barrels. The spot is best around mid to mid-to-high tide, when there’s more water over the reef and entry/exit is generally more forgiving. Dead/low tide is flagged as particularly dangerous because the reef becomes very shallow. The primary risks are sharp coral reef, rocks, and strong rip currents—especially on mid-to-large swells—along with sea urchins and potential heavy hold-downs. Rescue and lifeguards are not available on-site, so plan for self-reliance and rapid transport if needed. Local guidance emphasizes respecting lineup order and sharing the peak. Operationally, access is via a bumpy dirt road and unpaved parking area; conditions can worsen after rain. On-site amenities are limited, and surfers are typically expected to bring what they need (food/water and equipment), with medical services requiring transport to the broader area if injuries occur.
- Exposed A-frame reef with a long hollow left on larger swells
- Offshore southeast/east trade winds for cleaner faces
- Dry-season peak from May through September/October
- Famous, consistent exposed reef performance in the dry season
- Offshore southeast/east trades groom the face well
- Left offers long, hollow sections; right provides fast, punchy waves
- Sharp reef with serious consequences at low tide
- Strong rip currents and heavy hold-downs on larger swells
- Unreliable/rough primitive access road and limited on-the-ground support
- Not suitable as a beginner surfing option
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Southeast trade/offshore winds during the dry season.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady winds.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Very close to shore, high cliffs to the east can create minor wind shadows.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef-coral with sand present in the bottom/approach area.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Works from about 1.0–1.5 m and can build to much larger sizes (beyond overhead).
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Typically cleaner/groomed when offshore trades are active.
- Launch
- Small — Small, secluded primitive entry on reef with sandy access gaps between reef sections.
Through the year
Peak in August; otherwise moderate year-round.
October to April (wet season; monsoon season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed A-frame reef break splitting into right and left sections. The left is the longer, hollow option and typically dominates on bigger swells; the right is shorter and punchier, often finishing more abruptly on lower tides.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.9–2.4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Works best around mid to mid-to-high tide; low/dead low tide becomes very shallow over the reef.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open, exposed reef break with minimal protection from swell.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore southeast/east trade winds groom the wave face for cleaner barrels.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up well on larger swell; left becomes dominant above overhead, while the right can die out. Can produce heavy, serious barrels.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as excellent/regionally classic performance.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful reef performance; can become very heavy on bigger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Barreling — Hollow/barreling shape.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling face.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal length typically under 50 m; good sessions often reach 50–150 m depending on swell/tide.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Left typically offers longer, hollow sections; right is shorter and can end in closeout on low tide.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mawi (Selong Belanak) in the full forecast view.
Mawi (Selong Belanak) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- SE143°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2912 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.5 m10s period
- Temperature
- 25–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Mawi (Selong Belanak) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 1.2–2.5 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- sharp coral reef
- shallow reef at low tide
- rocks
- strong rip currents
- sea urchins
- heavy hold-downs on big swells
- rip currents and tidal flow (especially on larger swells)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No on-site rescue; plan for self-rescue and rapid transport if needed.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest basic medical clinics are in Selong Belanak or Kuta Lombok; serious injuries require transport to Mataram.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local surfers present; share lineup order and respect the peak.
Rules of the spot
No designated zones; share the peak and respect local surfers (standard surfing etiquette applies).
- Avoid dead/low tide due to shallow and dangerous reef conditions; mid-to-high tide is more forgiving for entry and exit.
- Rough/unpaved access road can become difficult after rain—check current access conditions before driving in.
- Heavier swell can produce strong hold-downs; be prepared for demanding takeoffs in deeper water.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Mataram
- Nearest Town
- Selong Belanak
- Nearest Airport
- Lombok International Airport (LOP)
- Parking
- Small unpaved dirt parking area near beach access; a small fee is usually required.
- Public Transport
- Virtually non-existent for tourists; transport relies on rented scooters, private cars, or pre-arranged shuttles.
- Access
- Head west from Kuta Lombok along Jalan Mawun (~17.4 km), then left onto Jalan Pantai Mawi (~3.4 km dirt road with potholes through tobacco plantation to the beach; ~45 min by car/scooter).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), Sasak
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — No accommodation on the spot; lodging is available in Selong Belanak or Kuta Lombok (about 30–45 minutes by drive).
- Food & Drink
- Limited on-site food/drinks; some basic beach warungs providing Indonesian food, coconuts, and cold drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Very limited; most surfers bring their own boards. Occasionally locals may rent older boards.
- Gear Repair
- No repair at the beach; repair shops are located in Kuta Lombok.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The surrounding Selong Belanak coast is a surf-centric area with scenic viewpoints and seasonal trade-wind conditions.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Mawi (Selong Belanak)?
The best overall months at Mawi (Selong Belanak) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Mawi (Selong Belanak)?
Mawi (Selong Belanak) works with E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What skill level is Mawi (Selong Belanak) suitable for?
Mawi (Selong Belanak) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.